It’s hard to believe that it’s been six years since Mac Miller left us. I found myself reflecting on the immense impact his music had on my life and on the world as a whole. Mac wasn’t just another rapper – he had a voice that spoke directly to our struggles, our highs and lows, and moments that many of us don’t share with others.
The first project I had listened to was K.I.D.S, I remember being with friends in boarding school and one of my friends was controlling the speaker, then there was me asking, “Who is this?”. The youthful energy that radiated from the tracks like ‘Nikes on My Feet’ (one of my nostalgic feelings playing 2k with the friends listening to this track) and ‘Kool-Aid & Frozen Pizza’ felt like a celebration of living in the moment. At the time I was young and trying to find my place in the world – Mac showed me to take life with a sense of joy and not take life too seriously. Mac was like the friend you wanted to hang out with after school, chilling and enjoying life without a care in the world.
It was through Mac’s willingless to be vulnerable that I learned one of the most important lessons – that it’s okay to not be okay. Life isn’t always going to be smooth, he showed me that facing your problems head-on, acknowledging your flaws, and still pushing forward are signs of strengths and not weaknesses.
Larry had this rare ability to bring people together, blending genres and working with musicians from all walks of life. Whether it was rapping alongside Kendrick or vibing with Anderson Paak, he broke boundaries and showed the world that art has no limits.
His passing felt like a loss of more than an artist, the world had lost a friend, a beautiful soul, someone who stayed grounded and connected to everyone. As I reflect on the last six years without Mac, I realise how much his music has shaped not only my personal journey but also the world. Listening to his discography today, feels like he is still with us, making me think how special music really is, giving us that ability to still feel something, that in reality without it, we would not be feeling this connection.
Rest easy, Mac. You’ll always be remembered.